It's no secret that due to our current adaption of pandemic lifestyle and living, there will be no spring break the way we've become so accustomed to. Whether you're unable to travel, or, like me, don't actually have a spring break this year, we all need the time away from our screens and responsibilities to reconnect and relax. Regardless of where you live, there's always something you can do to partake in the coveted spring break experience.
Picnic at the Park
This is for those that live in warm enough climates that snow doesn't cover the ground... lucky you. Getting outside and enjoying the sunshine is so good for mental health and is good for the soul. Go to the park or the beach or your backyard and snack while you enjoy the sun and dream about summer.
How to build a travel-friendly charcuterie board:
To build a travel-friendly charcuterie board you have a few options. Bringing a basket of your supplies and ingredients to build the board at your desired location is easy, as you can ensure nothing will move around or get smashed in transit. If you choose to follow this, be sure to bring a cutting board, your serving vessel, a small knife, and a bottle opener.
In the past I have created amazing-looking charcuterie boards in large tupperware containers for the beach and other outside activities. To do this I follow my usual plan for snack board making, however I leave any dips or other ingredients I would usually put in ramekins separate, as they are much less likely to stay put if the container is moved or tipped. I pack the tupperware pretty tightly with my snacks to discourage any movement throughout travel and be positive the board will still be pretty when I get to my location. I pack another small tupperware of any dips or small snacks I would’ve otherwise put into dishes, and one full of crackers or chips.
Regardless of your chosen method for a travel charcuterie board, be sure to bring drinks to pair with your snack board. I usually bring a couple cans of wine or spiked seltzer, or sparkling water for anyone under 21. Bringing a large pitcher of lemonade or water is also a good drink pairing.
Building a Fort
Snow is covering literally half of the country right now, so outdoor activities are so far out of the question it's not even funny. Don't worry, there always things to make being stuck inside fun. Spring break may not be on the slopes this year, but you can still bundle up and pretend it's not freezing outside.
How To:
Forts are absolutely not reserved for young children. They make any night in that much more fun and are usually pretty easy to clean up. My roommate and I build forts pretty frequently- because sometimes you just need a change of scenery in quarantine- and we've perfected the process. We usually start by moving our couch and dining table to face each other, we then place a sheet over each of them and use heavy items to weigh them down. From there we usually use a mop or tall chair to create some lift in the front of the fort, this lets us watch tv in the fort and allows us to sit upright if wanted. After the structure of the fort is created, we take a few duvets, blankets, and pillows to create a comfy bed. An optional, but amazing, additive is fairy lights or a light projector. I bought a cheap light projector on Amazon that projects lasers onto the ceiling.
We usually create a snack board of finger foods to munch on while watching movies all night. My personal favorites are pizza bites, mini tacos, and uncrustables. Always add popcorn and your favorite drink.
Movie recommendations:
My personal favorite for a movie night is any and all psychological thrillers.
Seven
Hounds of Love
Sixth Sense
The Silence of the Lambs (and the sequel Hannibal)
The Shining
American Psycho
Fight Club
Gone Girl
Zodiac
Split
Comedies and rom-coms are always an awesome option for a movie night
50 First Dates
Step Brothers
The Other Guys
Bridesmaids
Superbad
The Anchorman
The Hangover
Meangirls
Clueless
21 Jump Street
Book a hotel room and create a luxurious vacation close to home
Depending on where you are, there is most likely a Hampton Inn or a Hilton near you, both of which usually offer hotel rooms for affordable prices. Hotel rooms have always and will always signify vacation for me, even if the reason I'm staying in a hotel is FAR from the relaxation of vacation. Hotels can sometimes feel very foregin and uncomfortable, but I’ve learned how to create a homey space wherever I am. I do this by always bringing candles, blankets, and other comforts like scented body lotion and slippers. Hotels are awesome because it can be a home away from home that someone else cleans with endless TV to binge and room service to order. To make a staycation special, bring some decorations, throw a party for you and your girlfriends, bring a speaker to jam out, order way too much takeout.
Host a dinner party with your fellow stuck-insiders
Quarantine may mean staying inside and staying away from largely populated areas, but it doesn’t mean you have to be alone. Call your girlfriends and host a small dinner party to celebrate the things you’ve accomplished thus far in 2021. Or make it a complains-giving and complain about everything that sucks about pandemic life.
We all know I’m going to suggest making a charcuterie board. But you could also surprise your friends and make a nice dinner. One of my favorite things to make for more than three people is pasta. Pasta is so easy to make too much of, we’re all guilty of making half the box even though there's no possible way we could eat it all... put that to use! Make some pasta and vodka sauce and a salad and have all your girls bring over their favorite wine. Boom! Recipe for the best quarantine dinner party ever.
I always make sure there's something playing in the background when I have people over. It makes the room feel less big and offers a cushion for any quiet moments. I have a playlist of soft, alternative music I usually turn to, but I also will sometimes have a light-hearted show, like Gossip Girl or The Office, playing in the background.
Spring break isn’t cancelled and the opportunity to create a fun night and a little joy in a world where it’s so hard to do so, is alive and well. Implement these ideas into your everyday life, spring break or not, because we all deserve a little relaxation and reset time. Happy spring!